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Castro day to day after exiting with tight hamstring

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MESA, Ariz. -- Starlin Castro wanted three at-bats on Wednesday, but the Cubs shortstop nearly regretted his last one.

Castro had to leave the game after his third at-bat in the fourth inning because of tightness in his left hamstring. He was listed in Thursday's lineup but most likely will not play. His status was day to day.

In the fourth, Castro hit a ball to Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon, who made a great stop but then overthrew first for an error. Castro pulled up as he ran down the line.

"When I was close to first base, I felt it [in my hamstring] when I touched the base," Castro said.

Was he scared?

"Yeah," he said. "I don't want to be hurt, man. I feel too good this year to start the season hurt. The trainers took care of me. I think it's not bad."

If Castro was scared, imagine Sveum's first reaction when his two-time All-Star shortstop looks lame.

"Not good," Sveum said. "It's not a good thought because it was kind of like he pulled up quite a bit. I didn't know if it was a knee. Most guys, they grab [the hamstring]. He was just kind of hobbling. Thank God, it doesn't seem to be a big deal at all."

The Cubs are already thin with third basemen Ian Stewart and Josh Vitters both sidelined with left quad strains. Castro said he's never had a hamstring problem like this before.

"I don't know what happened," he said. "I worked too much in the Dominican, running a lot. Hopefully, it'll be good."

"It was tight and he was jogging around in the trainer's room after he got worked on a little bit," Sveum said. "It was more tight than a pull or anything like that, so he's just day to day. Thank God, nothing real major at all."

Last year, Castro played in all 162 games. That's his goal again this year.

"That's why I say, I don't want to be hurt because this year I feel really, really good," Castro said. "I feel ready to do something good for this team this year and that's why I don't want to be hurt."

"He's one of those resilient kids who loves to play the game," Sveum said.